When you run around in fantasy baseball circles long enough you hear terms thrown around too often. Words like "sleeper", "breakout" and "undervalued" are overused catchphrases comparable to Arnold Drummond's "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" or Donald Trump's "You're fired!" However, it's next to impossible to talk fantasy baseball for any length of time and not get caught up in this oft-used terminology. That being said, let me explain what I mean by undervalued.In this article I'm going to take a look at Average Draft Position as calculated at Mock Draft Central. After looking at ADP and comparing that to projections for 2009 a few catchers will appear who I think will outperform (read: have better statistics) their current draft positions. I'm not predicting career years here or campaigning for these guys to be drafted higher than they currently are being taken. I'm merely stating that you'll get good value and maybe even be surprised with how well these three catchers perform compared to where you get them in your fantasy draft.
Ryan Doumit, Pirates - Fresh off of a new deal that extends Doumit's tenure as a Pirate to 2013, he's ready to prove that he can continue on the breakout year that was 2008. Doumit hit 15 home runs and batted .318 in 431 at-bats last season and is slated as the Pirates cleanup hitter going into 2009. His increased numbers can be attributed to an increase in contact rate and to hitting more line drives. His 33.8 percent hit rate is a slight bit higher than his normal 31.6 percent which could draw his batting average down in 2009. But, if he keeps his contact rate up near 87 percent, he'll still hit above .300. His fly ball rate and HR/F ratio also foretell another season of 15-20 home runs. A .300 hitting catcher who can approach 20 home runs is a steal in the 11th round as his ADP is currently 120.39.
Chris Iannetta, Rockies - In only 333 at-bats last season, Iannetta blasted 18 home runs showing everyone why he was such a touted prospect. He struck out more than usual which could be a result of him trying to find his power stroke. But find his power stroke he did, indeed. His 40.7 percent fly ball rate and 18.2 percent HR/F ratio show that he's hitting a lot more balls in the air and they are leaving the yard in plenitude. Iannetta doesn't have the contact rate to become a .300 hitter, but if you give him 500 at-bats in 2009 his power numbers could propel him toward the top of the catcher rankings. It's easy to see Iannetta hitting 22-25 home runs this season and that will make those of you that draft him in the 12th round (139.89 ADP) very happy.
Ramon Hernandez, Reds - Three of the last four seasons for Hernandez have been marred by some form of injury. He did happen to get back some of his 2006 glory last season before being slowed, however. This offseason Hernandez moved to Cincinnati from Baltimore, and Great American Ball Park is a hitters dream. Hernandez raised his line drive rate last season and brought his HR/F ratio back towards normal. If these two trends continue, and Hernandez actually enjoys playing in Cincinnati (an issue in Baltimore), there is no reason why he can't hit 17 home runs. He's currently being drafted in the 21st round with an ADP of 247.55. A catcher who hits 17 home runs and bats between .260 and .270 is a great steal in the late rounds of a fantasy draft.
